A connector and assembling method therefor

Abstract

 An object of the present invention is to prevent a touching section of a terminal fitting from being damaged.
A connector is provided with terminal fittings 20 each including a touching section 41 to be held in contact with a mating terminal 30 and a housing 10 formed with press-in holes 14, 14A, into which the terminal fittings 20 are pressed, wherein the terminal fittings 20 are pressingly held in the housing 10 after the touching sections 41 pass through the press-in holes 14, 14A. Out of the inner surface of each press-in hole 14, 14A of the housing 10, a part corresponding to a passage area of the touching section 41 is so shaped as to be gradually distanced from the passage area toward an apex 62, 62A corresponding to a widthwise middle part 65 of the passage area. Accordingly, when the touching section 41 passes through the press-in hole 14, 14A, the mutual abrasion of the touching section 41 and the inner surface of the press-in hole 14, 14A can be avoided.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and to an assembling method therefor.

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-100231 discloses a connector to be mounted on a printed circuit board. This connector is provided with terminal fittings each having a touching section to be held in contact with a mating female terminal and a housing formed with press-in holes, into which the terminal fittings are pressed. A front part of each terminal fitting including the touching section has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and the press-in hole likewise has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, the both cross-sectional shapes being substantially similarly dimensioned. The terminal fitting is inserted into the press-in hole of the housing from behind, and a rear part thereof located behind the touching section is pressingly held in the press-in hole after the touching section passes through the press-in hole.

[0003] In the above case, because the cross-sectional shape of the front part including the touching section and that of the press-in hole are substantially identical and same in size, there has been a likelihood that a plated surface of the touching section and the inner surface of the press-in hole abrade against each other to damage the touching section when the touching section passes through the press-in hole. Even if the cross-sectional shape of the front part including the touching section should be larger than that of the press-in hole to define a clearance between the touching section and the inner surface of the press-in hole, the touching section could possibly come into contact with the inner surface of the press-in hole in view of tolerances, displacements, etc.

[0004] The present invention was developed in view of the above situation and an object thereof is to prevent a touching section of a terminal fitting from being damaged.

[0005] This object is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] According to the invention, there is provided a connector, comprising:

at least one terminal fitting including a touching section to be held in contact with a mating terminal, and

a housing formed with at least one press-in hole, at least partly into which the terminal fitting is to be pressed,

wherein, out of the inner surface of the press-in hole, a part corresponding to a passage area of the touching section is so shaped as to be distanced from the passage area toward an apex corresponding to a widthwise intermediate part of the passage area.

[0007] Since the part of the inner surface of the press-in hole of the housing corresponding to the passage area of the touching section is so shaped as to be distanced from the passage area toward the apex corresponding to the widthwise intermediate part of the passage area, the mutual abrasion of the touching section and the inner surface of the press-in hole can be avoided when the touching section passes through the press-in hole. As a result, the damage of the touching section can be prevented.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the terminal fitting being pressingly held in the housing after the touching section passes through the press-in hole.

[0009] Preferably, the widthwise intermediate part of the passage area substantially is a widthwise middle part thereof.

[0010] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a connector, comprising:

a terminal fitting including a touching section to be held in contact with a mating terminal, and

a housing formed with a press-in hole, into which the terminal fitting is pressed,

the terminal fitting being pressingly held in the housing after the touching section passes through the press-in hole,

wherein, out of the inner surface of the press-in hole, a part corresponding to a passage area of the touching section is so shaped as to be distanced from the passage area toward an apex corresponding to a widthwise middle part of the passage area.

[0011] Since the part of the inner surface of the press-in hole of the housing corresponding to the passage area of the touching section is so shaped as to be distanced from the passage area toward the apex corresponding to the widthwise middle part of the passage area, the mutual abrasion of the touching section and the inner surface of the press-in hole can be avoided when the touching section passes through the press-in hole. As a result, the damage of the touching section can be prevented.

[0012] Preferably, out of the inner surface of the press-in hole of the housing, ridge lines corresponding to the opposite widthwise ends of the passage area of the touching section substantially extend obliquely straight toward the apex.

[0013] Since the ridge lines of the inner surface of the press-in hole of the housing corresponding to the opposite widthwise ends of the passage area of the touching section substantially extend obliquely straight toward the apex, even if the touching section tries to be displaced toward the apex upon passing through the press-in hole, it can be corrected to a proper position of passage by the ridge lines.

[0014] Further preferably, sides of the press-in hole and the ridge lines are substantially straight lines and the apices are points, and/or
the sides are longer than the ridge lines, and/or

an angle between the both ridge lines at the opposite sides of each apex is larger than about 120°, and/or

angles between the sides and the ridge lines are smaller than about 120°.

[0015] Still further preferably, one or more bevels are formed at least at one or more of the opposite widthwise end corners of the touching section in the terminal fitting.

[0016] Further preferably, a bevel angle of the bevels is smaller than an angle of inclination of stand-up parts of ridge lines of the inner surface of the press-in hole of the housing corresponding to the opposite widthwise ends of the passage area of the touching section with respect to a reference line parallel to the touching section.

[0017] Most preferably, bevels are formed at the opposite widthwise end corners of the touching section in the terminal fitting, and

a bevel angle of the bevels is smaller than an angle of inclination of stand-up parts of ridge lines of the inner surface of the press-in hole of the housing corresponding to the opposite widthwise ends of the passage area of the touching section with respect to a reference line parallel to the touching section.

[0018] Since the bevel angle of the bevels is smaller than the angle of inclination of the stand-up parts of the ridge lines of the press-in hole with respect to the reference line parallel to the touching section, a clearance is invariably defined between the bevels and the ridge lines unless the touching section is largely inclined about an axis when the touching section passes through the press-in hole. As a result, the bevels and the ridge lines are constantly kept away from each other, whereby the damage of the touching section can be reliably prevented.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing is formed with a through hole penetrating in a press-in direction of the terminal fitting, and

the press-in hole is formed only in a part of the through hole in the press-in direction.

[0020] Since the touching section is narrower than the wider section, it can be prevented that the opposite widthwise ends of the touching section abrade against the inner surface of the press-in hole to be damaged when the touching section passes through the press-in hole.

[0021] Preferably, the terminal fitting includes a wider section behind the touching section in the press-in direction, the wider section being wider than the touching section and to be pressed and fixed by the inner surface of the press-in hole.

[0022] According to the invention, there is further provided a method of assembling or mounting a connector, in particular according to the invention or a preferred embodiment thereof, comprising the following steps:

providing a housing formed with at least one press-in hole, and

at least partly pressing at least one terminal fitting into the respective press-in hole, wherein the terminal fitting includes a touching section to be held in contact with a mating terminal, while keeping a distance between a part of the inner surface of the press-in hole corresponding to a passage area of the touching section from the passage area toward an apex corresponding to a widthwise intermediate part of the passage area.

[0023] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though embodiments are separately described, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a side view in section showing a state before terminal fittings are mounted into a housing in a connector of a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a horizontal portion of the terminal fitting,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section showing a state where a touching section is inserted in a press-in hole,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section showing a state where the touching section is in contact with a mating terminal,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a horizontal portion of a terminal fitting in a connector of a second embodiment,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section showing a state where a touching section is inserted in a press-in hole, and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical section showing a state where the touching section is in contact with a mating terminal.

<First Embodiment>

[0024] A first preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. A circuit board connector to be mounted on an electric or electronic device such as a printed circuit board (not shown) is illustrated as a connector of this embodiment, which is provided with a housing 10 connectable with a mating connector (not shown) and one or more terminal fittings 20 to be at least partly mounted in the housing 10. In the following description, a side to be connected with the mating connector is referred to as a front side concerning forward and backward directions FBD.

[0025] The housing 10 is made e.g. of synthetic resin and includes a (preferably substantially tubular) receptacle 11 as shown in FIG. 1. One or more through holes TH (13, 14 and/or 15), through which the terminal fittings 20 are at least partly inserted from an insertion side IS, preferably substantially from behind, are formed to penetrate a back wall 12 of the receptacle 11 substantially in forward and backward directions. These through holes TH (13, 14 and/or 15) preferably include one or more recessed holes 13, one or more press-in holes 14 and/or one or more guiding holes 15, wherein the recessed holes 13 preferably substantially communicate with the front ends of the press-in holes 14 and/or the guiding holes 15 preferably substantially communicate with the rear ends of the press-in holes 14. The recessed holes 13 preferably have a diameter larger or one size larger than that of the press-in holes 14 and make openings in the front surface of the back wall 12, and the guiding holes 15 have such a converging or substantially conical shape as to be widened from the rear ends of the press-in holes 14 toward the rear surface of the back wall 12.

[0026] The press-in holes 14 extend over a specified (predetermined or predeterminable) range substantially in forward and backward directions FBD and preferably have the substantially same cross-sectional shape along the entire length or longitudinal extension in forward and backward directions FBD. The terminal fitting 20 is at least partly pressed or fitted or inserted into the press-in hole 14 in a press-in direction PID through the guiding hole 15, thereby being supported in the housing 10. The shape of the press-in hole 14 is described in detail later.

[0027] Each terminal fitting 20 preferably is a busbar in the form of a narrow and long (preferably substantially rectangular) column or portion and preferably is bent at an angle different from 0° or 180°, preferably substantially normal or substantially in L-shape at its intermediate position. Roughly, the terminal fitting 20 includes a bent portion 21 as a bending base point, a horizontal or first portion 22 horizontally arranged (or arranged substantially along the forward and backward directions FBD) before the bent portion 21 and a vertical or second portion 23 extending at an angle different from 0° or 180°, preferably substantially normal or substantially downward toward the electric or electronic device such as the printed circuit board from the bent portion 21. The leading end of the vertical portion 23 is to be connected with a conduction path of the electric or electronic device such as of the printed circuit board particularly by soldering, welding (particularly ultrasonic welding), press-fitting or the like.

[0028] The horizontal or first portion 22 preferably is substantially in the form of a tab having a rectangular or polygonal cross section and comprised of a narrower or narrow section 24, a wider or wide section 25 and a bulging section 26 in this order from front along the forward and backward directions FBD as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the horizontal or first portion 22 is widened stepwise toward the bulging portion 26. One or more, preferably a pair of preventing pieces 27 projecting to laterally (left and/or right) are formed at (preferably the substantially opposite widthwise ends of) the bulging section 26, and come or are bringable into contact with the rear surface of the back wall 12 to preferably prevent the terminal fitting 20 from coming out forward.

[0029] The wider section 25 is pressed and fixed by the inner surface(s) of the press-in hole 14 upon properly mounting the terminal fitting 20 in the press-in direction PID into the housing 10. The (preferably opposite widthwise ends of the) wider section 25 preferably substantially coincide in position with those of the inner surface of the press-in hole 14 and serve as press-in portions 28 to be pressed and fixed by (preferably the opposite widthwise ends of) the inner surface(s) of the press-in hole 14.

[0030] The narrower section 24 preferably has a substantially square cross-sectional shape, and comes to be located in the receptacle 11 after passing through the through hole 13, 14 and 15 (including the press-in hole 14) of the back wall 12 substantially without touching them. The leading end of the narrower section 24 is cut over at least part, preferably the substantially entire circumference to form a tapered surface 29 for guiding the terminal fitting 20 into the through hole 13, 14 and 15. As the connector is connected with the mating connector, the narrower sections 24 are connected with mating terminals 30 at least partly accommodated in the mating connector.

[0031] The mating terminal 30 preferably is a female terminal fitting and includes a box portion 31 substantially in the form of a (preferably substantially rectangular or polygonal) tube into which at least the narrower section 24 can be at least partly inserted as shown in FIG. 4. A receiving portion 32 is formed to project inward from the inner surface of the box portion 31, and the projecting end surface of this receiving portion 32 serves as a contact surface 33 that preferably substantially is flat and continuous in width direction WD at the substantially same height. A resiliently deformable resilient contact piece 34 is arranged at a position substantially facing the receiving portion 32 in the box portion 31 and preferably embossed or pointed or convex to project toward the contact surface 33, thereby forming a contact portion 35.

[0032] Upon entering the box portion 31, the narrower section 24 is held resiliently in contact with (preferably sandwiched between) the receiving portion 32 and/or the resilient contact piece 34 in height direction. In this state, the upper and lower surfaces of the narrower section 24 substantially facing in height direction (direction at an angle different from 0° or 180°, preferably substantially normal to the forward and backward directions FBD) are in contact with the mating terminal 30. Specifically, a widthwise intermediate part (preferably substantially a widthwise middle part) of the upper or lateral surface of the narrower section 24 is in surface contact with the contact surface 33 of the receiving portion 32 and serves as a preferred touching section or contact portion 41, and a widthwise intermediate part (preferably substantially a widthwise middle part) of the lower or substantially opposite lateral surface of the narrower section 24 is in point contact with the contact portion 35 of the resilient contact piece 34. Particularly, the widthwise intermediate part(s) may be arranged slightly shifted with respect to the widthwise middle part, e.g. by less than about 1/3 of the total width, more preferably by less than about ¼ of the total width. The touching section 41 preferably is a horizontal surface continuous at the same height (or a surface substantially containing the forward and backward directions FBD), and plating such as tin plating or gold plating preferably is applied thereto to increase contact reliability with the mating terminal 30.

[0033] The shape of the press-in hole 14 is described in detail. This press-in hole 14 is a substantially polygonal (particularly hexagonal) opening as shown in FIG. 3 and preferably is defined by a pair of left and right sides 61 facing substantially parallel to each other in width direction WD and upper and lower pairs of ridge lines 63 obliquely extending with respect to the widthwise direction WD toward a pair of upper and lower apices 62 preferably set in the widthwise center of the press-in hole 14 while intersecting with the upper and lower ends of the both sides 61 at obtuse angles (being preferably about 100° to about 160°, more preferably about 100° to about 130°, most preferably about 100° to about 120°). In other words, the apex 62 to the respective position of the outer wall of the terminal fitting 14 (particularly the narrower section 24 thereof) are distanced by a distance D (when measured radially with respect to an imaginary longitudinal center line CL of the terminal fitting 14) which is larger than (or enlarged with respect to) that at any other position of the respective ridge-line 63 of the press-in hole 14. In other words, the gap or clearance between the inner wall of the press-in portion 14 and the terminal fitting 20 is enlarged when seen in a circumferential direction at a position corresponding to the apex or vertex 62. Both the sides 61 and the ridge lines 63 preferably are substantially straight lines and the apices 62 are points. The sides 61 preferably are longer than the ridge lines 63, and/or an angle between the both ridge lines 63 at the opposite sides of each apex 62 is larger than about 120°, and/or angles between the sides 61 and the ridge lines 63 are smaller than about 120°.

[0034] When the narrower section 24 passes through the press-in hole 14 at a proper position, a clearance is defined between the narrower section 24 and the inner surface of the press-in hole 14 over at least part, preferably the substantially entire circumference as shown in FIG. 3 at the time of the passage. In this case, the apex 61 and the ridge lines 63 are arranged at positions of the inner surface of the press-in hole 14 preferably substantially corresponding to (substantially facing in height direction HD) a passage area of the touching section 41 where the touching section 41 passes (preferably the substantially same as the arrangement area of the touching section 41 shown in FIG. 3), and the apex 62 is arranged at the position preferably substantially corresponding to a widthwise middle part 65 of the passage area of the touching section 41. The ridge lines 63 preferably are arranged at the positions substantially corresponding to opposite widthwise ends 66 of the passage area of the touching section 41, and are gradually distanced from the touching section 41 to intersect at the apex 62 while extending from the corresponding ends of the sides 61 toward the apex 62. In other words, the apex 62 is located at the most distant position from the touching section 41, and the ridge lines 63 are more distanced from the touching section 41 as they extend from the corresponding ends of the sides 62 toward the apex 62, and a substantially triangular clearance is defined between the touching section 41 and the inner surface of the press-in hole 14.

[0035] With such a construction, even if the narrower section 24 should be inserted into the press-in hole 14 while being displaced or offset in height direction HD, there is no likelihood that the touching section 41 touches the inner surface of the press-in hole 14 although the corners of the narrower section 24 (opposite widthwise end corners 68 of the touching section 41) may possibly touch the intersections of the ridge lines 63 and the sides 61 or the ridge lines 63. Out of the inner surface of the press-in hole 14, a part corresponding to an area where the surface of the narrower section 24 substantially opposite to the touching section 41 (lower surface of the narrower section 24) passes preferably is shaped identically to the above-described part of the inner surface corresponding to the passage area of the touching section 41 and has similar or the same functions and effects to be described later.

[0036] Next, a method for mounting the terminal fittings 20 into the housing 10, functions and effects in this embodiment are described.

[0037] When the terminal fitting 20 is at least partly inserted into the through hole 13, 14 and 15 of the housing 10 from the insertion side IS, preferably substantially from behind, the wider section 25 is pressed into the press-in hole 14 after the narrower section 24 passes through the through hole 13, 14 and/or 15, with the result that the press-in portions 28 are pressed or engaged and held over the entire length in height direction HD by (preferably the widthwise ends of) the inner surface(s) of the press-in hole 14. Subsequently, the terminal fitting 20 is bent at an angle different from 0° or 180°, preferably substantially normal or substantially in L-shape to be divided into the horizontal or first portion 22 and the vertical or second portion 23. Of course, this bending operation may be performed before the terminal fitting 20 is mounted into the housing 10.

[0038] In this case, out of the inner surface of the press-in hole 14, the part corresponding to the passage area of the touching section 41 is defined by the ridge lines 63 gradually distanced from the passage area toward apex 62 substantially corresponding to the widthwise intermediate part, preferably substantially the widthwise middle part 65, of the passage area. Thus, even in consideration of tolerances, displacements, etc., there is no likelihood that the touching section 41 and the inner surface of the press-in hole 14 abrade against each other when the touching section 41 passes through the press-in hole 14. As a result, the touching section 41 can be held protected to particularly prevent the plating of the touching section 41 from being peeled off or damaged.

[0039] Since the ridge lines 63 of the press-in hole 14 of the housing 10 extent obliquely (preferably substantially straight) toward the apex 62, even if the touching section 41 tries to be displaced toward the apex 62 upon passing through the press-in hole 14, the opposite widthwise end corner(s) 68 of the touching section 41 come(s) into contact with the respective ridge line(s) 63, whereby the touching section 41 (narrower section 24) is corrected to a substantially proper position of passage by the ridge line(s) 63. Further, since the ridge lines 63 preferably are substantially straight lines, even if the narrower section 24 is slightly inclined about an axis, the touching section 41 and the ridge lines 63 do not interfere with each other.

[0040] Further, since the touching section 41 preferably is narrower than the wider section 25, it can be prevented that the opposite widthwise ends of the touching section 41 abrade against the inner surface of the press-in hole 14 to be damaged when the touching section 41 passes through the press-in hole 14. By including the apices 62 in the inner surface of the press-in hole 14, the contact of the touching section 41 with the inner surface of the press-in hole 14 (ridge lines 63) can be avoided unless the narrower section 24 is largely inclined about an axis as long as the dimensions of the cross-sectional shape of the narrower section 24 are equal to or smaller than the diameter of the press-in hole 14.

<Second Embodiment>

[0041] Next, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. In the second embodiment, the shape of narrower sections 24A of terminal fittings 20 and that of press-in holes 14A are different from those of the first embodiment. Since the other construction is substantially similar to the first embodiment, it is not repeatedly described by identifying the same parts as in the first embodiment by the same reference numerals.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the narrower section 24A of each terminal fitting 20 is formed with one or more bevels 71 at one or more corners, preferably at each of the opposite widthwise corners, of a touching section 41. The one or more bevels 71 are formed over at least part, preferably over the substantially entire length of the narrower section 24A (preferably including a tapered surface 29) in forward and backward directions FBD, and are located lower than the horizontal surface of the touching section 41 preferably by chamfering two corners of the narrower section 24A. As shown in FIG. 7, when the narrower section 24A at least partly enters a box portion 31 of a mating terminal 30, the horizontal surface of the touching section 41 comes into surface contact with a contact surface 33 of a receiving portion 32 as in the first embodiment and, on the other hand, the bevels 71 are not in contact with the mating terminal 30 including the receiving portion 32.

[0043] The inner surface of the press-in hole 14A of a housing 10 includes at least a pair of lateral (left and right) sides 61, at least a pair of lateral (upper and lower) apices or vertices 62A corresponding to a widthwise intermediate part, preferably substantially a widthwise middle part 65, of a passage area of the touching section 41, upper and lower pairs of ridge lines 63A gradually distanced from the passage area as they extend toward the apices 62A. Different from the first embodiment, a stand-up part (base part) of each ridge line 63A near the side 61 preferably is a substantially straight section 63B and a part thereof near the apex 62A is a curved or bent section 63C convex outward or concave inward. Each apex 62A is arranged at or corresponding to a pointed position on an arc defined by the curved sections 63C.

[0044] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, an angle of inclination B of the straight line 63B with respect to a reference line L (horizontal line in a shown case) parallel to the touching section 41 preferably is larger than an angle of inclination of the ridge line 63 in the first embodiment, which preferably is entirely a substantially straight line toward the apex 62A, and/or larger than a bevel angle A of the bevel 71 with respect to the reference line L parallel to the touching section 41.

[0045] Accordingly, when the touching section 41 passes through the press-in hole 14A, a clearance is substantially invariably defined between the bevels 71 and the ridge lines 63A (straight sections 63B) unless the narrower section 24A is largely inclined about an axis, and there is no likelihood that the bevels 71 and the ridge lines 63A abrade against each other. Even more, the abrasion of the touching section 41 and the ridge lines 63A is difficult to think since the touching section 41 is a horizontal surface, with the result that the damage of the touching section 41 can be securely prevented. Particularly, the damage of the opposite widthwise ends of the touching section 41 can be more reliably prevented by forming the bevels 71 at the opposite widthwise end corners of the touching section 41. The function of positioning the touching section 41 by forming the straight sections 63B is as already described in the first embodiment.

[0046] Accordingly, to prevent a touching section of a terminal fitting from being damaged, a connector is provided with one or more terminal fittings 20 each including a touching section 41 to be held in contact with a mating terminal 30 and a housing 10 formed with one or more press-in holes 14, 14A, into which the terminal fittings 20 at least partly are pressed or inserted or fitted, wherein the terminal fittings 20 are pressingly or engagingly held in the housing 10 after the touching sections 41 pass through the respective press-in holes 14, 14A. Out of the inner surface of each press-in hole 14, 14A of the housing 10, a part corresponding to a passage area of the touching section 41 is so shaped as to be gradually distanced from the passage area toward at least one apex 62, 62A substantially corresponding to a widthwise intermediate portion (preferably substantially a widthwise middle part 65) of the passage area. Accordingly, when the touching section 41 passes through the press-in hole 14, 14A, the mutual abrasion of the touching section 41 and the inner surface of the press-in hole 14, 14A can be avoided.

<Other Embodiments>

[0047] The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiments. For example, the following embodiments are also embraced by the technical scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

(1) The present invention is also applicable in the case where two receiving portions are formed substantially side by side in width direction in the mating terminal and two touching sections are formed in the terminal fitting. In this case, two apices are formed at positions of the inner surface of the press-in hole corresponding to the two touching sections, ridge lines are formed to extend toward the respective apices and the cross-sectional shape of the press-in hole corresponding to the two touching sections is double-peaked.

(2) The ridge lines may be, in their entireties including their stand-up parts, outwardly convex curves extending toward the apices.

(3) The method for forming the bevels at the opposite widthwise end corners of the touching section is not limited to the one in the second embodiment, and the present invention is widely applicable, including the case of the first embodiment.

(4) It is sufficient to provide the apex and the ridge lines at the position of the inner surface of the press-in hole corresponding to the passage area of the touching section (area to be held in contact with the receiving portion of the mating terminal), and it is not necessary to provide the pair of upper and lower apices and the upper and lower pairs of ridge lines.

(5) The terminal fittings may be press-fit terminals to be pressingly held in holes formed in a printed circuit board.

(6) The terminal fittings may be substantially straight without being bent substantially in L-shape.

(7) The terminal fittings may have a constant width without being divided into the narrower sections and the wider sections.

(8) Each through hole of the housing may have no guiding hole and no recessed hole and may be entirely a press-in hole.

(9) It should be understood that the invention is also applicable to a connector in which out of the inner surface of the press-in hole, a part corresponding to a passage area of the touching section is so shaped as to be distanced from the passage area toward several apices or vertices. This is, e.g. the case when the straight sections 63B on each side of the press-in hole do not (directly) intersect each other, but similar to FIG. 6 have an intermediate section (similar to the bent or curved section 63C) between them which has several apices e.g. by being somewhat ondulated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0048] 

10 ...

housing

14, 14A ...

press-in hole

20 ...

terminal fitting

24, 24A ...

narrower or narroe section

25 ...

wider or wide section

26 ...

bulging section

30 ...

mating terminal

41 ...

touching section

61 ...

side

62, 62A ...

apex or vertex

63, 63A ...

ridge line

65 ...

widthwise middle part of a passage area of the touching section

71 ...

bevel

Claims

1. A connector, comprising:

at least one terminal fitting (20) including a touching section (41) to be held in contact with a mating terminal (30), and

a housing (10) formed with at least one press-in hole (14; 14A), at least partly into which the terminal fitting (20) is to be pressed,

wherein, out of the inner surface of the press-in hole (14; 14A), a part corresponding to a passage area (24; 24A) of the touching section (41) is so shaped as to be distanced from the passage area (24; 24A) toward an apex (62; 62A) corresponding to a widthwise intermediate part (65) of the passage area (24; 24A).

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal fitting (20) being pressingly held in the housing (10) after the touching section (41) passes through the press-in hole (14; 14A).

3. A connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the widthwise intermediate part (65) of the passage area (24; 24A) substantially is a widthwise middle part thereof.

4. A connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, out of the inner surface of the press-in hole (14; 14A) of the housing (10), ridge lines (63; 63B) corresponding to the opposite widthwise ends of the passage area (24; 24A) of the touching section (41) substantially extend obliquely straight toward the apex (62; 62A).

5. A connector according to claim 4, wherein sides (61) of the press-in hole (14; 14A) and the ridge lines (63) are substantially straight lines and the apices (62) are points, and/or

the sides (61) are longer than the ridge lines (63), and/or

an angle between the both ridge lines (63) at the opposite sides of each apex (62) is larger than about 120°, and/or

angles between the sides (61) and the ridge lines (63) are smaller than about 120°.

6. A connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein one or more bevels (71) are formed at least at one or more of the opposite widthwise end corners of the touching section (41) in the terminal fitting (20).

7. A connector according to claim 6, wherein a bevel angle of the bevels (71) is smaller than an angle of inclination of stand-up parts of ridge lines (63; 63A) of the inner surface of the press-in hole (14; 14A) of the housing (10) corresponding to the opposite widthwise ends of the passage area (24; 24A) of the touching section (41) with respect to a reference line parallel to the touching section (41).

8. A connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein:

the housing (10) is formed with a through hole (TH) penetrating in a press-in direction (PID) of the terminal fitting (20), and

the press-in hole (14; 14A) is formed only in a part of the through hole (TH) in the press-in direction (PID).

9. A connector according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal fitting (20) includes a wider section (25) behind the touching section (41) in the press-in direction (PID), the wider section (25) being wider than the touching section (41) and to be pressed and fixed by the inner surface of the press-in hole (14; 14A).

10. A method of assembling a connector, comprising the following steps:

providing a housing (10) formed with at least one press-in hole (14; 14A), and

at least partly pressing at least one terminal fitting (20) into the respective press-in hole (14; 14A), wherein the terminal fitting (20) includes a touching section (41) to be held in contact with a mating terminal (30), while keeping a distance between a part of the inner surface of the press-in hole (14; 14A) corresponding to a passage area (24; 24A) of the touching section (41) from the passage area (24; 24A) toward an apex (62; 62A) corresponding to a widthwise intermediate part (65) of the passage area (24; 24A).

Drawing